University College Dublin spiked any chance of an Athlone IT double of men’s and women’s volleyball titles, as the Dublin based outfit put in a polished performance to captured the Student Sport Ireland Men’s Volleyball title on Wednesday last in Maynooth University.

UCD were very lucky to make the final as they looked to be in deep trouble in the semi-final as they lost the opening set 25-23 to University College Cork. However once they settled into their stride in the second set, their obvious class began to shine through and they would take the deciding two sets to earn a final berth on a 25-10, 15-10 score.

Athlone IT dethroned the 2016 champions Trinity College Dublin in the second semi-final as a confident display from the Midlander’s saw them to a 25-18, 25-13 success and gave them a chance to follow in the footsteps of their female counterparts and claim the title.

However UCD were in brilliant form in the final and although Athlone IT fought hard all the way they were unable to stem the surge of shots coming at them from UCD, and the Dublin side would march to a 25-18, 25-14 success to claim the honours.

Winners University College Dublin – Nick Schulz, Ed Vero, Chirs Kolb, Thomas Wenger, Richie Wong, Jean Baptiste Bauquier, Charles O’Dowd, Abel Sanchez Trianes.

Runners Up Athlone IT – Aidan McDonnell, Caomhan Conaghan, Anthony Finnerty, Chang Khai Lung, Edbaro Passerini, Carlo Novarese, Carlo Barila, Davide Zanini, Davide Agresta, Jean Nicholas Ziane, Alessandra Guariso, Stefano Benveduti.